List of 10 Natural Alternatives to Toothpaste

More and more people are ditching commercial toothpaste in favour of natural alternatives and that might lead you to ask: what is wrong with using the commercial brands of toothpaste that we have all become so familiar with over the years? Well, some of the ingredients that are used in many types of toothpaste could actually be harming your health. Here are ten natural alternatives to toothpaste that you can use to clean your teeth.

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the best toothpaste alternatives that you can use on a regular basis to clean your teeth. In fact, many commercial toothpastes contain baking soda as one of the main ingredients.

Baking soda acts as an abrasive agent and helps whiten and brighten your pearly whites. It even neutralizes acids in the mouth, which in turn reduces the chance of bad breath.

A 2008 study from the Journal of Clinical Dentistry reports that baking soda is effective at cleaning teeth and removing plaque to fight off tooth decay.

– Dip your wet toothbrush in baking soda and use it to brush your teeth like normal.

– Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a little water to get a pasty consistency. If you wish, you can add a few drops of peppermint extract to the water to give your mouth a minty fresh feel.

Note: Make sure not to eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes after brushing your teeth with baking soda. Also, don’t use baking soda on a regular basis as it may gradually erode the tooth enamel.

2. Indian Lilac

Indian lilac, also known as neem or margosa, is one of the best toothpaste alternatives that you can use. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties help kill the bacteria that cause cavities, plaque, gingivitis and other gum diseases.

A 2008 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research reports that neem has almost miraculous properties when it comes to treating gingivitis.

It also provides long-lasting fresh breath.

– Extract the juice of neem leaves and rub it on your teeth. Leave it on for a few minutes, then use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. Rinse it off with warm water.

– You can also use soft neem sticks to brush your teeth. Simply chew on a broken end until it becomes soft enough to brush your teeth with.

Twigs of eucalyptus, orange or lime tree can also be used as chew sticks to clean your teeth.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric promotes overall oral health and you can use this yellow spice powder to brush your teeth occasionally.

Its antiplaque, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help keep dental problems, such as toothaches and gingivitis, at bay.

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology reports that turmeric mouthwash is effective in controlling plaque and preventing gingivitis.

– Mix ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder with a little mustard oil. Put this paste on your toothbrush and use it to brush your teeth. Make sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly afterwards.

– You can also add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of lukewarm water and use it as a mouthwash. Swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out.

4. Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil

Extra-virgin coconut oil is another great natural toothpaste alternative, due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties that come in handy for mouth cleaning.

This oil can help reduce the plaque on your teeth and prevent problems like toothaches, bad breath and gum disease.

A 2014 study published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Periodontology reports that coconut oil can be used as a valuable preventive agent in maintaining and improving oral health.

Another study published in the Nigerian Medical Journal in 2015 reports that oil pulling using coconut oil is effective at reducing plaque formation.

– Put 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil in your mouth.

– Swish it around in your mouth for about 15 minutes, until it turns foamy and milky white.

– Finally, rinse your mouth with water until all the blackness in your mouth is gone.

Note: Activated charcoal should not be used by people who have caps on their teeth.

6. Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay is another excellent natural ingredient to brush your teeth with. Being rich in minerals, it supports tooth mineralization. Plus, it has detoxifying properties that fight gum disease and help freshen your breath. You can also use white clay on your teeth to make them stronger and more resistant to decay.

– Put 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay into a bowl.

– Add 1 tablespoon of baking powder to it.

– Mix in 2 tablespoons or more of extra-virgin coconut oil until you get a smooth consistency.

– Add a few drops of peppermint extract.

– Optionally, you can add some artificial sweetener like stevia for better taste.

Brush your teeth with this mixture at least once daily.

You can also add other ingredients like clove powder, cinnamon powder, even eggshell powder in your homemade toothpaste or tooth powder to fight tooth decay and maintain oral health.

7. Salt

Normal table salt or sea salt can also be used to brush your teeth to keep them clean. In fact, salt is a common ingredient in many commercial toothpastes.

Salt particles help get rid of plaque from your teeth, which in turn reduces the risk of many oral problems. It also helps replenish lost mineral content in the teeth to keep them healthy.

Note: Do not use hydrogen peroxide if you have amalgam fillings, as it may leach mercury from your fillings. Make sure you use food grade hydrogen peroxide, not the regular variety.

10. Orange Peels

You can use orange peels to remove stains from your teeth and keep them white and shiny.

The limonene in orange peels helps break down plaque. A 2010 study published in the American Journal of Dentistry found that toothpaste containing d-limonene was significantly effective in reducing smoking stains on teeth and d-limonene alone inhibited the development of further smoking stains.

Also, the vitamin C in orange peels helps prevent growth of microorganisms inside your mouth that can cause bad breath, tooth decay as well as other health problems.